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Energy at home

Guide to Energy Performance Certificates

  1. What are EPCs?
  2. Why get an EPC?
  3. What can you expect to see on your EPC?
  4. Who produces energy reports and EPCs?
  5. Further information

Benefits

  • understand the energy performance of your home
  • identify areas for improvement
  • make changes to save money and reduce emissions

What are EPCs?

Much like the multi-coloured sticker on new appliances, Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) tell you how energy efficient a building is and give it a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). EPCs let the person who will use the building know how costly it will be to heat and light, and what its carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be.

The EPC will also state what the energy-efficiency rating could be if you made the recommended improvements and highlights cost-effective ways to achieve a better rating. Even if you rent your home, you could still implement some improvements noted on the EPC, such as switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs.

EPCs are valid for 10 years from when issued.

Why get an EPC?

Your property’s EPC needs to be available to potential buyers as soon as you start to market your property for sale or rent. You must get an approved domestic energy assessor to produce the EPC. If you’re buying or renting a property, an EPC allows you to compare the energy efficiency of different properties easily.

An EPC also highlights the energy efficiency improvements you could make, how much they will cost, and how much you could save. This can be useful when looking to improve your current property, or if you’re looking to buy and improve.

Bear in mind that any figures for energy use and potential savings are for a typical household in that property – they’re not tailored to you, your family or housemates or your lifestyle.

If you do implement any of the energy efficiency recommendations outlined in your EPC, you may wish to get a fresh EPC to include these improvements.

What can you expect to see on your EPC?

It’s worth noting that not all EPCs look the same. In this guide, we are using a 2017 certificate as an example. Older certificates will have most of this information, although it may look a bit different and may be in a different order.

Who produces energy reports and EPCs?

England, Wales and Northern Ireland

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, only accredited domestic energy assessors can produce valid EPCs.

  • for a list of approved EPC organisations in England and Wales, visit Landmark to view the energy performance certificate register
  • for a list of approved EPC organisations in Northern Ireland, visit Landmark for Northern Ireland

If you are selling or renting your home through an estate agent, they may be able to arrange for the EPC to be completed for you.

Scotland

In Scotland, only organisations approved by the Scottish Government can produce valid EPCs. Visit the Scottish EPC Register to find a list of approved EPC organisations.

If you are selling your home through a selling agent, you should ask them to arrange for a Home Report (which will include an Energy Report and EPC) to be made.

Energy Reports can only be produced by chartered surveyors registered with RICs.

Further information

This image shows the performance ratings after improvements listed below, however they only assume the improvements have been installed in the order they appear in the table. For more information you can refer to the energy grants calculator.

In the table it shows that properties that took recommended measures in terms of internal of external wall insulation, the indicative cost is £4,000 – £14,000. The typical savings per year amount to £510. The rating after improvement is E51 and is supported through Green Deal finance.

Floor insulation (suspended floor) has an indicative cost of £800 – £1,200, with typical savings per year amounting to £73. The rating after improvement is E53. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment up-front.

With recommended measures for increases in hot water cylinder insulation, the indicative costs is between £15 – £30. The typical savings per year amount to £94. The rating after improvement is D56. The recommended measures are supported through the Green Deal finance.

When it comes to low energy lighting for all fixed outlets, the indicative cost is £70 and the typical savings per year is £49. Rating after improvement is listed as D56. There is no green deal finance with low energy lightning.

When it comes to Heating controls (Room thermostat and TRVs) the indicative costs are £350 – £450. The typical saving is £108, and the rating after improvement is listed as D62. The recommended measures are supported through the Green Deal finance.

When it comes to Replace boiler with new condensing boiler the indicative costs are £2,200 – £3, 000. The typical saving is £314, and the rating after improvement is listed as C72. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment up-front.

When it comes to Solar water heating the indicative costs are £4,000 – £6, 000. The typical saving is £46, and the rating after improvement is listed as C74. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment up-front.

When it comes to Replace single glazed windows with low-E double glazed windows the indicative costs are £3,300 – £6, 500. The typical saving is £86, and the rating after improvement is listed as C77. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment up-front.

When it comes to Solar photovoltaic panels, 2.5 kWp the indicative costs are £5,000 – £8, 000. The typical saving is £284, and the rating after improvement is listed as B35. If you wanted to take up measures be aware that you may need to contribute to some of the payment up-front.